Exploring speeding behaviors of older drivers: Role of functional abilities, personality, and driving environments

Evidence on the influence of functional abilities, personality traits and driving environments on older drivers’ propensity for speeding is limited. This study examined various types of speeding behaviors in older drivers and examined predictors of these behaviors. A speeding event was defined as driving at any speed above the speed limit for at least 6 s. Speeding events were extracted from the driving data of 58 older drivers, collected by driving recorders. These events were then categorized into short-duration minor, short-duration major, and long-duration speeding events based on both severity and duration. Mixed-effect models were employed to analyze the predictors of speeding behaviors at the trip level. Our findings indicated that participants were involved in an average of 15.9 speeding events per 100 km, with short-duration speeding most common in 30–40 km/h zones, while long-duration speeding occurred more frequently on 60 and 80 km/h roads. Trip characteristics, which reflected the driving environments of each trip, played a crucial role in predicting older drivers’ speeding behaviors. Most driving environments that trigger speeding behaviors in other age groups were found to similarly impact older drivers, except for nighttime driving. Most older drivers tend to reduce their involvement in all three categories of speeding behaviors at night, and the degree of self-regulation varies across individuals. Moreover, drivers with poorer trail-making test part B performance were less likely to engage in short-duration major speeding. However, no significant associations were found between sensation seeking or impulsivity and any of the three categories of speeding behaviors. These findings suggest that older drivers may not be able to refrain from speeding in most environments that are conducive to these behaviors, and they may not fully recognize the increased risks associated with speeding.